Designboom

Written By Danielle Trofe
MushLume mycelium and hemp lampshades

MushLume co-creates with living organisms to grow design objects at MADE: bush terminal

MushLume Rethinks Material Approach Inside MADE Bush Terminal

 

Publication: Designboom
Article Title: MushLume co-creates with living organisms to grow design objects at MADE: bush terminal
Date: Sept 2026
Link: https://www.designboom.com/design/mushlume-living-fungi-lighting-made-bush-terminal/

Summary:
Designboom visits MushLume founder Danielle Trofe at the company’s new biofabrication studio and production facility at MADE: Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, New York. The feature explores MushLume’s approach to growing sustainable lighting, acoustic systems, and sculptural design objects using living mycelium and agricultural hemp. Trofe discusses biomimicry and the studio’s philosophy of working with nature as a design partner—learning from biological systems rather than simply extracting natural resources. The article follows MushLume’s mycelium biofabrication process from agricultural fiber and living mycelium through molding, growth, drying, and commercial production, highlighting lampshades that grow within 7–10 days.

The feature also examines MushLume’s expansion into mycelium acoustic lighting and architectural applications, combining illumination with natural sound absorption and Class A fire-rated material performance without synthetic chemical flame retardants. Designboom positions the new MADE: Bush Terminal studio as a pivotal step in scaling biofabricated products for commercial interiors, bringing material research, cultivation, production, and public engagement together under one roof while connecting MushLume with Brooklyn’s growing ecosystem of designers and fabricators.


Key Topics:
Mycelium lighting and mycelium acoustic systems

Danielle Trofe
Next

ICFF